With police ramping up efforts to tackle impaired driving during the holiday season, residents of Halifax now have a new transportation option for safe rides home. On December 16, the popular rideshare service Lyft officially launched its operations in Halifax, expanding its presence in Canada.
Founded in 2012 in the United States, Lyft has steadily expanded its services into Canada over the years. The launch in Halifax is part of a broader strategy that includes future rollouts in Regina and Saskatoon, bringing Lyft’s operations to more than 20 cities across the country. This expansion comes on the heels of a notable 50 percent increase in rides year-over-year in Canada during the first quarter of 2025.
Jeremy Bird, Lyft's Executive Vice President of Global Growth, expressed excitement about the new service. In a press release, he stated, “We’re thrilled to bring the option of Lyft to Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, helping us connect even more Canadians across the country. Canada is a key market for us as we expand our international footprint, with rides growing 23% year-over-year this past summer.”
Ridesharing Context in Halifax
The introduction of Lyft provides Halifax residents with a competitive rideshare option, particularly as Uber has been the sole player in the market since its launch in December 2020. Uber began operations in Halifax following a council decision earlier that year that facilitated the establishment of rideshare services, offering a modern alternative to traditional taxi services.
As the popularity of ridesharing grows, a debate has emerged regarding the level of regulatory scrutiny applicable to these services. A staff report presented to the Halifax regional council on December 9 recommended that the municipal requirements for Uber and other rideshare drivers align more closely with those imposed on taxi drivers.
Currently, taxi operators are mandated to submit driver training and background check results—including criminal and child abuse record checks—to the municipality. In contrast, while rideshare drivers are also subjected to background checks, these evaluations are conducted internally by the rideshare companies rather than municipal authorities, raising concerns about oversight.
Keerthana Rang, the head of corporate communications for Uber in Canada, emphasized that the municipality retains the authority to obtain sensitive documents related to driver compliance if desired. This statement highlights the ongoing discussions regarding the balance of regulatory oversight between rideshare services and traditional taxis.
The staff report also included findings from a public survey reflecting mixed opinions on the issue. While many respondents believed that rideshare services should face municipal scrutiny similar to taxis, others argued for relaxed regulations for taxi drivers to foster competitive fairness.
This ongoing dialogue illustrates the complexities of integrating rideshare services into existing transportation frameworks and the necessity for appropriate regulatory measures that ensure public safety while promoting competition in the transportation sector.
